The nitty gritty

Reviews

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Scott from
Aether - Love this packWas at REI over this weekend and purchased this pack. Currently using a Kilty 90 Redcloud but it is sized a bit larget so thought I would give this a try. Walked with 40 pounds at Devils Lake for 8 miles and this Aether pack fit like a charm. Loved the way it hip belt felt wrapped around my waste and gave perfect weight distribution. This is my first Osprey pack and I can truly say we are going to be best friends. Only rated a 4 due to lack of exterior pockets. My Kilty has 2 large ones along the sides but this one only has the water bottle holders, stuff sack on front, and 2 additional on top. This is really a 4.9 rating. Feels extremely durable. Took another 4 mile walk today with more added weight and it seemed to feel better today than yesterday. Next up Isle Royale in May. Highly recommend this pack. Also I like the full frontal zipper for access to internal items. Osprey hydration 72 liter was a bonus bit haven't utilized yet nor the internal smaller "Go bag". Thanks REI for talking me into this pack while at the store in Madison.

Date published: 2017-02-26

Rated 5 out of
5 by
John316 from
Amazing Backpack. So comfortable.After doing research and talking to the very helpful REI associates, I decided to buy this pack. Our first trip together was a group biking trip in Monte Cristo Washington. My Osprey held a lot of gear, and after four miles of getting on and off a bicycle, I still felt like my shoulders were not carrying anything. On our return trip a member of our party got sick, so my pack took on even more gear. This is the most comfortable backpack I have ever owned. The day pack is a very cool feature, and I hope to have many adventures in the future with this pack.

Date published: 2017-06-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
cohiker from
It Makes Half Of Your Pack Weight DisappearTried other packs, even the 2016 version and there's no comparison in comfort. I'm 5'8" with a 17" torso (I had to accept that the S was what I needed mainly due to load lifter fit)) and I'm still playing with the adjustments after a 30lb. day on the trail. It is very fit-sensitive and at one point I could not feel the hipbelt. Lift the pack by the top grab strap and feel how much lighter it seems when it's on your back. Love the zipper pull rings. Hate the tight side pockets (Listen to the crunch of the Smart Water bottle when the pack is full). If not for the mandatory bear canister and Rocky Mountain clothing, I would have gone with the 60 liter. Will use the reservoir in a smaller pack. I use a 3L Camelbak and let the tube hang out of the top. It's just easier that way. Hipbelt pockets are fine as I store lots of small items in them. Four Stars but the comfort makes it Five.

Date published: 2017-04-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
krazykenny06 from
Best pack I've ownedDidn't get a big overview of the pack before I bought it, but when I discovered the top pack turns into a day pack, I was excited. Lots of storage, lots of different access. simply loving it. carry my girlfriend's gear plus my own in here with no trouble.

Date published: 2017-02-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
gt01 from
Sturdy and well-designedI've had this pack for several years and have taken it all over the place. No pack is perfect, but this comes close. With a 30 lb-plus load, I can wear it for hours, even on steep trails. Belt and straps are comfortable (given that you are lugging things on your back), easy to adjust and don't slip. Nice features like the oversize web pockets, gear straps and removable top. Best of all, it's tough -- so far it shows virtually no signs of wear.

Date published: 2017-05-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
EasyHiker from
2017 redesign promises improvements over 2015/16sMy son and I both purchased the 2017 Aether 70 AG to replace our 2016 and 2015 models. The new 2017 waist belt feels and looks stronger than the 2016 and we like the day pack better than the waist pack of the earlier models. I loaded it up with 40 lbs. in the show room and the Aether felt better than the 2016 model. Planning a trip this summer to see how it performs on the trail.

Date published: 2017-04-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Spencergb from
Great weight distributionI have yet to put this pack through a few trips but I have no doubt it will perform better than any pack I've had before. I've fully packed this pack at home and it has plenty of space for everything a hiker would need for a week long trip.
What sold me was when I was in REI. The sales associate and I put about 20 lbs in the pack, fit it to me, and I wore it in the store for 15 minutes. While I was wearing the pack I thought "yep, feels like I'm wearing a pack". But once I took the pack off, the pack felt substantially heavier in my arms.
Not only does the pack put all the weight on your hips, it can be synched way down for a small weekend trip's worth of gear. Mine came with a hydration bladder, and the awesome day pack. Highly recommend this pack to anybody that's in the market.

Date published: 2017-04-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bill from
Great packGreat pack, the fit and finish is top notch. I would have wished the pack came with a rain fly. I appreciate having the hydration bladder included. The adjustability of the pack to the user is excellent. I have enough room to carry all my supplies for a 3-4 day back country adventure

Questions & Answers

Will this pack fit in the overhead compartment on an airplane?

Asked by: Bbf1

&#8203;This pack is too large for carry-on.

Answered by: REIservice

Date published: 2017-06-20

Bought this pack and in the description it states that i has external water reservoir and side zippers. Instead it has internal reservoir and front J style zipper. Did i get sent the wrong pack or the pack was this pack advertised wrong?

Asked by: Trekker5007

This pack has an internal sleeve to hold a water reservoir and external side pockets for water bottles. A large J-zipper is located on the front panel which provides access to the main compartment.

Answered by: REIservice

Date published: 2017-04-11

If you remove the daypack to reduce the overall weight of the pack, how many cu.in. do you lose of carrying capacity?

Does it come in Medium? I only see the other sizes listed.

As of May 2017, we are out of stock of medium size and do not know when it will become available again.

Answered by: REIservice

Date published: 2017-05-04

If I order this product today, when it will arrive Virginia?
Do this product still comes with an Osprey 2L Hydraulics reservoir? and co-branded daylid lumbar pack or daypack look like in your picture?

Asked by: emma

This specific item includes the reservoir and co-branded daypack. It will appear as it does in our photo above. Estimated shipping timelines can be found here:
https://www.rei.com/help/shipping-timelines.html

Answered by: REIservice

Date published: 2017-07-28

Does the 70EX come in Orange, and if so when will it be back in stock??I have to order one this week and would love to buy in from REI. Thanks...

Asked by: Chad

The &quot;EX&quot; version is a limited time REI exclusive. This version is sold out in outback orange and we do not expect to receive more.

Answered by: REIservice

Date published: 2017-05-11

I ordered my bag on Jan 8th and received it today (Feb 2nd). The original description stated it would come with a rain cover. Did this change? And why? It was one of the reasons I ordered this particular bag.

Asked by: RedneckArmyVet

The Osprey Aether 70 AG EX does not include a rain cover. Instead, Osprey has included a reservoir with this pack. Please contact us at (800) 426-4840 to discuss your order.

Answered by: REIservice

Date published: 2017-03-19

Do you guys do international shipping I live in the Caribbean. How long would it take??

Asked by: CARIBEÑO

Osprey products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses. For more information about international shipping, please visit the following link:
https://www.rei.com/help/placing-international-orders.html